Chapter 169: Everyone is fighting to curry favour

The atmosphere across Heavenly Origin Academy remained silent for several long moments after Lucien’s words fell.

No one dared to refute him anymore.

The titled douluos who had been filled with suspicion earlier now stood up slowly from the shattered plaza with pale expressions. Dust covered their robes while cracks spread beneath their feet. Yet none of them cared about their appearance anymore.

Their eyes remained locked onto Alex.

Fear still lingered there.

But now, mixed within that fear, was something else.

Respect.

No.

Reverence.

Because every single person present clearly understood one terrifying reality.

The young man before them was no longer someone they could evaluate using common sense.

He was an existence standing far beyond their comprehension.

The crimson robed noble who had spoken most aggressively earlier was the first to react. His face turned slightly awkward before he immediately cupped his fists respectfully toward Alex.

"Teacher Alex... earlier, I spoke rashly. Please forgive my ignorance."

The others instantly followed afterward.

One after another, the titled douluos lowered their heads respectfully.

"This old man offended Teacher Alex."

"Please do not take our foolishness seriously."

"We only acted out of concern for the academy."

Even the silver robed woman who had accused Alex of being a spy earlier now looked extremely embarrassed.

Her tone became incomparably gentler.

"Teacher Alex possesses divine virtue. Earlier suspicions were truly shameful."

The surrounding teachers stared blankly at the scene before them.

These were titled douluos.

Peak experts who normally stood above countless people across the continent.

Yet now they were apologizing nervously like children who had offended a supreme emperor.

Meanwhile, Alex simply smiled calmly.

There was no arrogance on his face.

Nor any anger.

His indifferent attitude instead made everyone feel even greater awe toward him.

Then another elder suddenly stepped forward excitedly.

"Teacher Alex!"

An old man wearing deep blue robes spoke hurriedly.

"I am Supreme Elder Morgan of the Azure River Clan. If Teacher Alex is willing, our clan would gladly invite you to become our honorary supreme elder!"

The moment those words fell, the others reacted instantly.

"Azure River Clan? You old bastard actually moved first?"

Another elder immediately stepped forward anxiously.

"Teacher Alex, our Golden Flame Clan possesses enormous influence across the eastern regions. We would gladly open our entire clan treasury for your use!"

"Nonsense!" another roared. "Our Heavenly Sword Clan has existed for over eight thousand years! We possess countless ancient inheritances!"

One by one, the titled douluos completely abandoned their dignity while desperately trying to curry favor with Alex.

Some even directly offered spirit bones.

Others offered territories.

Several beautiful female elders from noble clans even began subtly advertising their granddaughters.

The surrounding teachers watched with twitching expressions.

Earlier these same people had nearly attacked Alex.

Now they looked like merchants fighting over a priceless treasure.

Even Lucien’s mouth twitched slightly.

Meanwhile, Alex merely listened quietly with a faint smile.

He rejected no one.

Nor did he agree directly.

Finally, after the chaos became increasingly ridiculous, Alex slowly raised his hand.

The plaza immediately quieted again.

Alex looked toward everyone calmly before speaking.

"Gentlemen," he said softly, "I like being in solitude and peace."

His calm voice spread clearly across the plaza.

"I enjoy reading. I enjoy learning."

A faint smile appeared on his face afterward.

"That is why I chose the academy."

Everyone listened silently.

Then Alex continued.

"However..."

His golden eyes slowly swept across the gathered experts.

"If any of you ever encounter a problem you genuinely cannot solve yourselves..."

His voice remained calm.

"And you are not in the wrong.You may come to me."

A brief pause followed.

"I will help you."

The entire plaza froze.

Then countless eyes widened instantly. Because those words carried terrifying weight.

A promise from someone like Alex was no different from heavenly law itself.

Even the titled douluos felt their breathing quicken.

Several elders became visibly excited.

Some nearly laughed aloud from joy.

Yet before anyone could speak further, Alex slowly raised his right hand.

A soft golden light suddenly emerged from his palm.

The atmosphere instantly became warm and gentle.

Then Alex flicked his fingers lightly.

Whoosh.

Blinding white light exploded outward like flowing tides before instantly passing through every titled douluo present.

Everyone froze.

The next moment, their expressions changed completely.

The titled douluos widened their eyes in disbelief.

Warm energy surged through every part of their bodies.

Ancient hidden injuries accumulated over centuries began healing rapidly.

Damaged meridians recovered instantly.

Broken spiritual foundations stabilized completely.

Even old poisons hidden deep within their organs vanished without leaving behind the slightest trace.

The crimson robed elder suddenly trembled violently.

"My... my arm..."

He stared blankly at his right arm.

Three hundred years ago, he had lost part of his spiritual veins during a battle against a hundred thousand year soul beast.

Despite countless treasures and medicines, he had never fully recovered.

Yet now...

The obstruction had completely disappeared.

Nearby, another old woman touched her own face in shock.

The wrinkles that had covered her skin were rapidly fading.

Her white hair gradually turned dark once more.

Others experienced similar changes.

Vitality returned to bodies that had long begun decaying.

Some even felt their cultivation bottlenecks loosening.

The plaza became completely silent at that moment.

Then chaos erupted.

"Healed..."

"My injuries are gone!"

"My heavens..."

One elder suddenly burst into tears openly.

He had searched the continent for centuries trying to heal his damaged soul core.

Now it had recovered completely in mere seconds.

Alex calmly lowered his hand afterward.

"This is a token of my apology," he said with a smile.

The titled douluos stared at him speechlessly.

Their gratitude had already reached unimaginable levels.

Several elders nearly knelt directly on the spot.

Meanwhile, the surrounding teachers watched everything with red eyes full of envy.

Their expressions became increasingly strange afterward.

Finally, Lucien coughed awkwardly before stepping forward shamelessly.

"Cough. Teacher Alex..."

The old headmaster rubbed his hands together innocently.

"You know... if you wish, you can also injure me with your aura sometime."

He looked completely serious.

"I am quite the masochist, you see."

The titled douluos instantly stared at him with twitching faces.

Their expressions burned with embarrassment.

This old bastard had completely thrown away his dignity.

Beside him, Seraphina nodded violently without hesitation.

Her eyes remained fixed on the rejuvenated female elders nearby.

Seeing those old hags suddenly possess smoother skin than her nearly made her lose composure.

"Teacher Alex," she said immediately, "I also feel slightly injured inside." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Lucien nodded solemnly.

"Very serious injuries."

The surrounding experts almost coughed blood.

Alex looked at the two silently for several seconds before finally shaking his head helplessly.

Then he snapped his fingers lightly.

Another wave of white light entered Lucien and Seraphina instantly.

The two immediately felt overwhelming vitality surge throughout their bodies.

Lucien touched his own face blankly.

His appearance had visibly become younger.

Seraphina’s beautiful eyes widened afterward.

Her skin became incomparably flawless while even her spiritual fluctuations grew purer.

The two thanked Alex repeatedly afterward with bright expressions.

At that moment, an old man with icy blue robes suddenly stepped forward respectfully.

"Teacher Alex."

His tone became extremely gentle.

"I am Karion Frost, supreme elder of the Frost Clan."

He smiled warmly.

"Tomorrow happens to be my one thousandth birthday banquet."